The Indebted Earl Erica Vetsch (iphone ebook reader txt) 📖

“A sound plan.” The captain spoke from the kitchen doorway. “Until I can hire a replacement, Mrs. Chapman, are you willing to continue to take charge of the kitchens? If so, you will be paid for your work, and you will have sole command of the victuals and the larder.”

Sophie could not stop staring. It was the first time she’d seen him dressed in anything other than his uniform. He wore a tailcoat of forest green, buff breeches, and a golden waistcoat. His linens were snowy, but he hadn’t bothered with a cravat. He looked very much an earl in his non-naval clothing.

If Cilla had seen him attired thusly, she might have described him as more than just dashing. Sophie shook her head. She had always preferred men in uniform, hadn’t she? And here she was noticing a man in civilian dress?

He still moved with military precision, however, and though he had no manservant—probably why he’d opted not to wear a cravat—his presentation was faultless. One could catch one’s reflection in the shine of his boots.

Betsy stood before him, staring up, hands clasped behind her in a miniature copy of his stance. He looked down at her, unable to come farther into the room unless she moved or he bowled her over.

The captain raised one eyebrow and looked about for assistance.

“She’ll stand there all day.” Thea dropped into a chair and inched it to the table. “If you want her to move, you have to say good morning.” She reached for a slice of bread.

“Indeed?” He bowed slightly. “Good morning, Miss Pembroke.”

“Good morning, Cap’n.” Betsy beamed and turned on one toe to return to Penny’s side.

Mrs. Chapman slid a plate of pikelets onto the table. “Good morning, sir. Breakfast is ready, such as it is.”

“Mrs. Chapman, you are on the payroll as of yesterday. Make a list of what supplies you need to keep the place going. I’ll send Grayson into town once we’ve gone over the books, and he’ll bring back provisions.” He took the seat next to Sophie. “Good morning, Lady Sophia.”

This close, she could see flecks of green in his blue eyes. They were the color of the sea, which she supposed was fitting. She helped Betsy into her chair, and Penny found her seat as well.

Betsy took Sophie’s hand and then reached across the table to Penny. Penny clasped her sister’s fingers and reached for Thea’s, and Thea took Mamie’s.

“You’re s’posed to hold hands for the blessing.” Betsy clambered to her knees so she could reach better. “You forgot last night.”

Sophie swallowed and put her hand into his. He threaded their fingers together, pressing palm to palm, and warmth seeped up her arm.

He cleared his throat. “I only know naval graces. I could say Nelson’s Grace, but it’s rather short. Perhaps …

Bless, O Lord, before we dine

Each dish of food, each glass of wine

And make us evermore aware

How much, O Lord, we’re in Thy care.

“Amen,” Betsy declared.

“We don’t have wine. We have water,” Thea pointed out. “Still, your prayer is better than the graces said at Miss Fricklin’s. Those went on forever and always talked about what sinners we had been that day.” She poured a bit of treacle on her bread. “I could never figure out what we did that was so awful. She wouldn’t let us do anything fun, just study and keep quiet all the time.”

“That must have been excruciating for you,” the earl said, his tone wry. “Perhaps her prayers were in the way of preventative medicine.”

“What does that mean?” Thea asked, licking her finger.

“Stop that and wipe your hands properly,” Penny said. “It means she was hoping to use guilt and dire warnings to keep you from being naughty. Not that it helped much. You were in trouble the moment your feet hit the floor in the morning.”

The back door opened before Thea could fire back, and the steward, Mr. Grayson, slipped in. When he saw them all eating in the kitchen, he stopped. Bobbing quickly, he snatched off his hat. “Morning, guv. Ladies. Sorry to intrude.”

“Come in. Have you brought the ledgers?”

He tapped the book under his arm. “I brought my records. The old earl wasn’t in his right mind there at the end, and he wouldn’t let me work on the books. Kept them in his sleeping quarters and scribbled in them from time to time. I can’t make out anything from the last few months, though I did my best. I kept a tally of new lambs and calves, and how many acres were planted, and the crops that went in.”

“Very well. Perhaps you’d like a cup of tea, and then we can begin. The ladies have their duty assignments, and I suppose I have mine.” The earl speared a pikelet and put it on his plate. “Have you broken your fast?”

“Aye, milord. The wife makes a good thick porridge.” He patted his lean middle. “Sticks with a man all day.”

“I didn’t know you were married.”

“Aye, getting on for twelve years now. She’s anxious, waiting to hear if we’ll be staying on.” He raised his brows in that beseeching way he’d adopted last night.

The earl lowered his knife and fork. “Perhaps you’d like to wait in the study. I’ll be along shortly.”

Grayson bobbed again and all but scuttled through the kitchen. He had to be frustrated to have his future unsettled.

“Are you thinking of not keeping him on in the position?” Sophie asked.

“I cannot say just yet. I don’t like to be rushed into decisions.” The earl cut his pikelet into even squares and ate rapidly. “Of course, in the heat of battle, you must make quick decisions, but that is where training and planning come to the fore. However, I’ve had no training or planning for managing an estate. Therefore, I will take as much time as prudent before making determinations.”

Which method she also assumed covered his decision regarding the future of the Pembroke girls. Penny looked thoughtful, Betsy